Spreader and distributor for grain bins and the like



Nov. 20, 1962 R. E. VON RUDEN 3,064,833

SPREADER AND DISTRIBUTOR FOR GRAIN BINS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INV EN TOR. PA YMOND E. Vo/v IQUDEN Nov. 20, 1962 R. E. VON RUDEN 3,064,833

SPREADER AND DISTRIBUTOR FOR GRAIN BINS AND THE LIKE Filed May 22, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

INVENTOR. M /4 /& 'FPA YMOND E. Vo/v/Quoz/v A 7- TORNE Y5 United States My invention relates generally to device for spreading granular materials and more particularly to spreaders which will evenly and uniformly deposit grain and like material as it is being deposited into the upper end of a granary or elevator for storage.

The desirability of uniform density of materials in these storage areas is well known. However, to achieve this end, I have found that it is highly desirable to have a power-operated spreader device located in the opening in the roof or top wall of the granary, the speed of which is variably adjustable to compensate for changes in conditions such asthe amount of grain being delivered to the spreader at a given time, the weight and size thereof, and so forth. In such prior art structures as Patent No. 2,980,009, such a desired result could not be achieved even with a variable speed electric motor and controls therefor for the reason that the feeding plate 35 thereof is fast on the shaft 20 which drives the spreader element 22. Conatent sequently, when it is necessary or desirable to increase the speed of the spreader element 22 so as to increase the spreading area, the speed of the material feeding plate 35 is simultaneously increased. When this occurs the grain in engagement with the feeding plate is thrown radially outwardly against the breviated hopper chute 33 with such increased force that delivery of grain through the chute 33 is retarded thereby in effect rendering the structure partially inoperative.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of an improved material spreader for granular materials and the like which is so constructed as to be utilizable with a variable speed electric motor and controls therefor, whereby the speed of operation and performance thereof may be remotely controlled.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described which is relatively inexpensive to produce, which incorporates but a minimum of working parts and which is rugged and durable in construction.

The above and still further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed specification, appended claim and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the invention, and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts or elements throughout the several views:

FIG, 1 is a view partly in vertical axial section and partly in side elevation of a conventional grain storage bin showing my invention in operative position therein, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in top plan as seen substantially from the line 22 of FIG. 1, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical axial section as seen substantially from the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view as seen substantially from the line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the spreader element of my invention.

Referring with greater particularity to the drawings, the reference character A identifie in its entirety a conventional granary, the frusto-conical upper wall 1 of which is provided with an upstanding cylindrical neck portion 2 which defines a central opening 3. Shown as being concentrically mounted within the opening 3 is the funnel-shaped body 4 of my invention. Preferably, as is shown, this is accomplished through the medium of circumferentially spaced radially extended supporting arms 5 carried by the upper end portion of the body 4. The outer ends of the arms 5 rest upon the extreme upper edge of the neck portion 2. Centering of the body 4 with respect to the neck 2 and opening 3 defined thereby is achieved through the medium of stop elements 6, one each slidably 'adjustably receivable upon the arms 5.

As shown particularly in FIGURES 3 and 4, -a spider 7 secured to the inner wall 8 adjacent the open lower end 1A of body 4, supports a vertically disposed bearing sleeve 8 in which is journalled for rotation the upper end portion of a vertically disposed shaft 9, Fast on the extreme upper end of the shaft 9 above the web 7, is a horizontally disposed worm wheel 10, the lower end of which is formed to define a hub 11 adapted to rest upon the lower wall 12 of gear housing 13, whereby to limit downward movements of the shaft 9 with respect to the body 4 and parts carried thereby.

Fast on the lower end of the shaft 9 in spaced relation to the open bottom 1A, is a horizontally disposed platelike spreader element identified in its entirety by the numeral 14, see particularly FIGURE 5. Spreader element 14 is formed to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced segmental openings 15 which define therebetween circumferentially spaced segmental web elements 16. The leading edge of each of the plate-like web elements 16 is formed to provide an upstanding radially extended rib 17 which, preferably, as shown, tapers from the hub 18 to the rim 19. i V

For the purpose of imparting variable rotary movements to the shaft 9 and spreader element 14, I secure an electric motor 26 to the outer surface 21 of the body 4, directly radially outwardly of the worm wheel 10. The drive shaft 22 of the motor 20 is shown as extending horizontally through the wall of the body 4 and, as shown particularly by FIGURE 4, is provided at its extreme inner end with a worm 23 which has constant meshing engagement with the worm wheel 1% within the housing 13. Suitable remote control means for the motor 20 is provided for imparting varying peeds of rotation thereto and to the spreader element 14, as varying conditions require.

As shown, conventional conductor carrying conduit 20a extends from the motor 2d of a junction box 201) wherein connection may be made to a source of electrical potential, and from which extends a conduit 200 to a control box 20d which may be assumed to contain a conventional switch and other control means for varying the speed of the motor 2%. The control box 20d is shown as being provided with a control knob or the like 202. Although the control box 29d is shown as being disposed adjacent the side wall of the granary A, it may, if desired, be posi tioned at any convenient location.

During rotation of the spreader element 14, some of the grain descending from the body 4 falls directly through the openings 15 in the spreader 14; some thereof strikes the segmental web elements 16 and is deflected generally radially outwardly of the spreader element 14 or slides rearwardly and downwardly through adjacent openings 15; and some thereof is struck by the upstanding radial ribs 17 and rebounds therefrom through adjacent openings 15, or onto preceding web elements 16, from whence the grain slides generally radially outwardly of the spreader element 14 or through the adjacent openings 15. Thus, it will be seen that complete dispersion of the grain is accomplished, and the same is spread evenly within the granary A.

For the purpose of varying the quantity of grain fed to the spreader element 14 through the open bottom 1A of the funnel-shaped body 4, I provide a horizontally disposed imperforate distributor disc 24 Disc 24 is shown as being vertically adjustably mounted upon nonrotary shaft means 25 which extends axially of the body 4, centrally between the reduced open lower end 1A and the enlarged open upper end 1B. At its lower end the nonrotary shaft 25 is formed to define an enlarged flange 26 which closes the otherwise open upper end 27 of the gear housing 13. Obviously, raising and lowering of the disc 24 varies the spacing between the peripheral edge 28 thereof and the interior wall surface 8 of the body 4, whereby to accurately vary the extent of grain discharged therebetween and onto the spreader element 14 which is fed into the upper end 1B of the body 4 through any conventional pipe or conveyor means 29. Furthermore, as above indicated, and due to the fact that the distributor disc 24 does not rotate, variations in speed of the spreader element 14 do not in any way affect the amount of grain being fed to the spreader plate through the lower open end 1A of the body 4.

:My invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the above objects; and while I have shown and described a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that my invention is capable of modification without departure from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of a class described,

(a) -a-funne1-shaped body,

(1)) means for mounting said body in the opening of a top wall of a granary with said body substantially concentric with said opening,

(a) bearing means in the lower end portion of said body, a vertically disposed shaft mounted for rotation :in said bearing means with its lower and portion depending from said body through the opening in the bottom thereof,

(d) a horizontally disposed spreader element mounted fast on the lower end of said shaft in spaced relation to the lower end of said body,

(e) an electric motor mounted fast on the exterior of said body,

(1'') driving connections between said motor and said shaft extending through the wall of said body,

(g) nonrotary shaft mean within said body carried by said bearing means and extending axially of said body,

(h) an imperforate distributor disc having a diameter less than the diameter. of the intermediate portion of said body,

(i) and means mounting said disc for vertical adjustments on said nonrotary shaft means.

2. The structure defined in claim 1,

(a) in which said spreader element is plate-like in form and is formed to define a plurality of circumferentially spaced segmental openings,

(b) the space between said openings defining circumferentially spaced segmental we-b elements,

(0) the leading edges of each of said web elements being formed to define upstanding radially extending ribs.

3. The structure defined in claim 2 in which said ribs taper from their radially inner toward their radially outer ends.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 in further combination with means for varying the speed of said motor and including a control device remote from said motor.

No references cited. 

